Bob Watt

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Watt was born in rural Wisconsin, one of 9 children. He was drafted in World War II and stationed after the war in Japan. In 1951, he came to Milwaukee and established himself as a counterculture poet. [1]

In 1993 his house burned down, destroying 25 years' worth of poetry, art, collages, and vintage Playboy magazines. [2] Over 900 paintings were burned, in what the fire department described as the biggest house fire they'd seen.[3]

In recent years, much of his 'art' consisted of hiring female models, photographing them posing nude with his paintings, and making books of collages of the photographs.[2]

In 2000 he ran for mayor of Milwaukee, kicking off his campaign in front of the Hooters on Wisconsin Avenue.[2] He advocated opening nude beaches on Milwaukee's lakefront, and converting its jails into art and music schools.[4]

In 2008 he inspired a controversy in the Milwaukee art scene over his regular appearances at a local Christmas art show, dressed as Santa Claus and being photographed with nude female models..[5]

"“We need more ordinary Indians, some untalented people functioning. I feel I might be able to talk for the dull, the backward, the non-dandy, in short the bad poet. I ask equal time on your podium that you have now reserved for your favorite big stars.”[1]

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